Despite increasing the value of property, providing shade, cooling the house, and generally being part of picket fence dreams, trees are a nightmare for gutters. The solution is not to cut down all your trees but to be aware of the problems they cause and keep them well pruned. No matter how carefully you tend to them, though, they will still drop leaves and twigs.
Debris In Gutters Unmoved by Rain or Snow
That is the primary way that trees, whether overgrown or not, result in problems for gutters. Broken twigs and falling leaves collect in them, dropped by squirrels and carried by wind, ultimately clogging the gutters. Obviously, the more tree, the more of this debris, although it will still accumulate and require attention.
Many homeowners make the mistake of thinking that water will clear that debris right out when it starts to rush through the gutters. They know the leaves are there, but they think a hard rain or the melt of a heavy snowfall will take care of the problem. Instead, the debris prevents the movement of water, and it stands in the gutter, the first of snowballing problems.
Basic Health Of Family And House At Risk
If the weather is warm, rainwater that builds up in the gutters offers an ideal environment for mosquitoes, including those carrying the West Nile virus. If it is winter, that water is going to freeze, increasing the weight load on gutter fasteners in addition to causing their expansion. In every season, fasteners that no longer hold the gutters tight against the fascia ultimately mean water dripping against the foundation of the house.
Denting is another problem for gutters that comes with increasing probability when trees are allowed to sprawl too far. Typically made from aluminum, gutters can easily be dented by falling branches and crimped by crawling vines. The closer a tree is allowed to come to the roof, the more likely it is that falling branches will damage both roof and gutters.